Affordability & Deep Energy Upgrade/Passive House Retrofit in Berkeley, California. - Home Energy Pros2015-08-02T22:44:10Zhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/forum/topics/affordability-deep-energy-upgrade-passive-house-retrofit-in?commentId=6069565%3AComment%3A155651&xg_source=activity&feed=yes&xn_auth=noNo one here is advocating put…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-22:6069565:Comment:1573902014-05-22T19:24:27.621ZKaushal Bharath Rajuhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/KaushalBharathRaju
<p>No one here is advocating putting in a kitchen without any kind of ventilation. Indeed what I have assumed all along is a HRV with a recirculating exhaust system over an induction cooktop. The gas cooktop/ wood fired pizza oven goes to the outside kitchen, where we plan to do most of our cooking, given the beautiful/mild bay area weather throughout the year.</p>
<p>I asked a simple question whether AAVs and recirculation exhausts system in Berkeley would be permitted and hoped that…</p>
<p>No one here is advocating putting in a kitchen without any kind of ventilation. Indeed what I have assumed all along is a HRV with a recirculating exhaust system over an induction cooktop. The gas cooktop/ wood fired pizza oven goes to the outside kitchen, where we plan to do most of our cooking, given the beautiful/mild bay area weather throughout the year.</p>
<p>I asked a simple question whether AAVs and recirculation exhausts system in Berkeley would be permitted and hoped that contractors/builders familiar with code and enforcement here would be able to provide an answer. The best response came from a home inspector that I spoke directly to in the permits office in Berkeley. She said AAVs are ok in limited cases and no exhaust systems are necessary.</p> Historically we have done an…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-15:6069565:Comment:1569282014-05-15T22:45:20.087ZGeorge J. Nesbitthttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/GeorgeJNesbitt
<p>Historically we have done an air barrier on the inside, lot's of intersections, penitrations, discontinuities, easier to damage, etc. Many of us decided that it would be easier to do the air barrier on the outside.</p>
<p>Many still talk about air barriers as being interior and a wind barrier on the exterior (less air tight).</p>
<p>PH requires an air barrier, it can be on the inside or out. Outside is easier, especially in a retrofit.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Historically we have done an air barrier on the inside, lot's of intersections, penitrations, discontinuities, easier to damage, etc. Many of us decided that it would be easier to do the air barrier on the outside.</p>
<p>Many still talk about air barriers as being interior and a wind barrier on the exterior (less air tight).</p>
<p>PH requires an air barrier, it can be on the inside or out. Outside is easier, especially in a retrofit.</p>
<p></p> While code may not require ad…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-15:6069565:Comment:1571192014-05-15T22:35:40.710ZGeorge J. Nesbitthttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/GeorgeJNesbitt
<p>While code may not require adding ventilation to an existing kitchen, I would never air seal &amp; insulate a house without adding it (or at least recommending it). If you remodel a kitchen it should be required.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As for the AAV's they would be happy to consider your $$$$$$$$$ application, and may or may not approve.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>While code may not require adding ventilation to an existing kitchen, I would never air seal &amp; insulate a house without adding it (or at least recommending it). If you remodel a kitchen it should be required.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As for the AAV's they would be happy to consider your $$$$$$$$$ application, and may or may not approve.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p> I have some updates on the AA…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-15:6069565:Comment:1569232014-05-15T18:15:54.938ZKaushal Bharath Rajuhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/KaushalBharathRaju
<p>I have some updates on the AAVs and kitchen vents from a home inspector in Berkeley. She told me that in a remodel project like mine no kitchen exhausts are required. And they do allow AAVs in some cases and they are happy to consider my application for one. </p>
<p>I have some updates on the AAVs and kitchen vents from a home inspector in Berkeley. She told me that in a remodel project like mine no kitchen exhausts are required. And they do allow AAVs in some cases and they are happy to consider my application for one. </p> Hi George,
I overlooked an in…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-02:6069565:Comment:1556702014-05-02T19:52:54.159ZKaushal Bharath Rajuhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/KaushalBharathRaju
<p>Hi George,</p>
<p>I overlooked an interesting point you made in this post. You said, "Passive House would require an external air barrier". Does this make sense for our climate. From the Passive House institute materials I have been reading, it sats insulation on the outside and air barrier on the inside. I have seen projects that have done this too. I am curious if you can explain why you are proposing the opposite. </p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Kaushal.</p>
<p>Hi George,</p>
<p>I overlooked an interesting point you made in this post. You said, "Passive House would require an external air barrier". Does this make sense for our climate. From the Passive House institute materials I have been reading, it sats insulation on the outside and air barrier on the inside. I have seen projects that have done this too. I am curious if you can explain why you are proposing the opposite. </p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Kaushal.</p> Hi Ryan,
Thank you so much fo…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-01:6069565:Comment:1557232014-05-01T22:56:00.508ZKaushal Bharath Rajuhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/KaushalBharathRaju
<p>Hi Ryan,</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your response; very thoughtful and helpful! I would love to learn more bout your project. I will send you a message and let's connect. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Hi Ryan,</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your response; very thoughtful and helpful! I would love to learn more bout your project. I will send you a message and let's connect. Thanks again!</p> Hi, Kaushal.
I can relate, as…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-01:6069565:Comment:1555952014-05-01T22:31:25.055ZRyan Schmidthttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/RyanSchmidt
<p>Hi, Kaushal.</p>
<p>I can relate, as we were in your position regarding our circa 1900 San Francisco home a couple of years ago. You've received many thoughtful comments, ranging from very general to quite-detailed recommendations. Ultimately, however, what's optimal for your home will be unique to your combination of system needs, desired amenities, priorities, and budget. No matter how deep your retrofit ends up being, there's no overestimating the value of beginning with an informed…</p>
<p>Hi, Kaushal.</p>
<p>I can relate, as we were in your position regarding our circa 1900 San Francisco home a couple of years ago. You've received many thoughtful comments, ranging from very general to quite-detailed recommendations. Ultimately, however, what's optimal for your home will be unique to your combination of system needs, desired amenities, priorities, and budget. No matter how deep your retrofit ends up being, there's no overestimating the value of beginning with an informed understanding of where you're starting from (accurate load calculations, energy use history, comfort, etc.) and where you'd like to end up. From there it's an iterative process of what is most practical, comfortable, energy efficient, cost-effective, and important (to you). And not necessarily in that order. There are a lot of paths that will lead where you want to go. </p>
<p>To echo others, our climate is mild, mild, mild. This results in lower loads to meet but also lower 'payback', energy or cost-wise, for aggressive/intrusive improvements, including those usually necessary for Passive House. In my home performance evaluation and design experience with Bay Area homes, typical cost-effective paths include targeted (depending on the home) envelope improvements combined with appropriate system and distribution efficiency upgrades. Pushing further is of course fine, but usually not necessary for deep energy impacts. For many reasons, less intrusive options should be considered first. Typically the more intrusive a retrofit strategy is the longer it will take and the more it will cost. In conjunction with a package of other improvements, and in our climate, the incremental energy impacts of very aggressive strategies are often small.</p>
<p>A lot of planning went into our retrofit. Our budget was also not unlimited Based on load calculation and energy modeling, as well as knowledge of our comfort needs and energy history, I developed an improvement plan involving the following: crawlspace vapor barrier (phase 1), floor and attic air sealing, floor and attic insulation retrofits, targeted wall insulation retrofits, and heating/water heating system and distribution improvements. We didn't move any walls, and we didn't alter at all the exterior. But we did transform the guts of the house. Is the house at Passive standards? No. But I would definitely call our effort a 'deep energy retrofit.' The day-to-day comfort, both thermal and IAQ, as well as overall energy use improvements are dramatic. I believe that is ultimately the test of a successful, practical retrofit. </p>
<p>Glad to discuss with you directly in more detail, should you be interested. Best of luck with your planning.</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Ryan</p>
<p>(P.E., Pxt Consulting)</p> There is a different PH stand…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-01:6069565:Comment:1556532014-05-01T21:28:28.742ZWilliam Reidhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/WilliamReid
<p>There is a different PH standard for upgrades called EnerPHit which is probably more appropriate in your case. It allows a maximum of 1.0 air changes per hour instead of 0.6 which can be difficult to achieve in existing buildings. It doesn't seem to a have been used much in the US as yet but it may answer some the questions with regards to financial viability.</p>
<p>There is a different PH standard for upgrades called EnerPHit which is probably more appropriate in your case. It allows a maximum of 1.0 air changes per hour instead of 0.6 which can be difficult to achieve in existing buildings. It doesn't seem to a have been used much in the US as yet but it may answer some the questions with regards to financial viability.</p> Thanks Graham for sharing thi…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-01:6069565:Comment:1557202014-05-01T20:57:29.010ZKaushal Bharath Rajuhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/KaushalBharathRaju
<p>Thanks Graham for sharing this! I'll be sure to tune in. </p>
<p>Thanks Graham for sharing this! I'll be sure to tune in. </p> This may be of general intere…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-01:6069565:Comment:1557192014-05-01T20:50:52.065ZGraham Irwinhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/GrahamIrwin
<p>This may be of general interest: <a href="https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3716621238132314626" target="_blank">https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3716621238132314626</a></p>
<p>This may be of general interest: <a href="https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3716621238132314626" target="_blank">https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3716621238132314626</a></p>